Tom Bishop, who took the men’s all-time British record for the fastest full-distance time from the legendary Alistair Brownlee at Challenge Roth last year, will return to the race this season.

Bishop produced the performance of his career so far at what is one of the biggest races on the calendar, taking second behind three-time winner Magnus Ditlev.

His time of seven hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds eclipsed Brownlee’s previous best of 7:38:48 from IRONMAN Kalmar in 2022, the first time a male athlete from Great Britain had gone under 7:40 in a full-distance race.

Bishop would only hold the record for six weeks as his great friend Kieran Lindars clocked 7:32:14 when finishing second to the great Kristian Blummenfelt at IRONMAN Frankfurt in mid August.

Rising to the occasion

But Bishop is the second name announced for the DATEV-sposnsored Roth and out to go one better than last year’s result.

He said: “I’m really excited about Roth this year. It was such a fantastic race experience last year, I’ve never felt such energy from a crowd all day long.

“Last year I finished second, one of the best races of my career. This year I’m hoping to make the next step and target the win.

“It will take something special with the quality of field that always turns up at Roth, but I’ve seen what it takes to win and hopefully I can rise to the occasion.”

Could Vincent Luis take part?

Definitely joining Bishop will be last year’s fourth Jan Stratmann.

Last year’s IRONMAN Barcelona winner admits: “When I think back to last year at Roth, I still get goosebumps from the finish and the climb up the Solarer Berg.

“But I still have a score to settle with this race after my close fourth place last year. I want to at least finish on the podium this year.”

And also potentially in the reckoning is French great Vincent Luis. The short-course superstar is moving up to longer distance this year and has hinted that Roth could be an aim.